By: Amy Wise
Ironically, August is “love month” here at The Next Family. I know, it’s not February, and it’s not Valentine’s, but the Editor of TNF has been so inspired by all the stories of love lately, she dedicated an entire month to LOVE! Why is it ironic you might ask? Well, August is our wedding anniversary month! How ridiculously perfect is that!? Love month? I LOVE it!
18 years ago I met my love, my partner, my soul mate, my present, my future, and my best friend. 17 years ago on August 21st, 1993, I married him. We got married in a flower-covered gazebo, on a hot summer night, in the Balboa Park Rose Garden in San Diego. It was simple, it was beautiful, it was perfect. Our preacher, who was an old family friend of Jamie’s, married us and then sang to us. The song – “Always and Forever” -now, it’s forever our song. Close family and friends were there to share in our joy. Two people in love, pledging their lives to each other. It was intense…it was LOVE!
Flash forward, and now we have had 17 years of marriage, a 15 year-old daughter, and an amazing roller coaster of a life. Has it been perfect? Oh heck no! Has it been fabulous? Oh hell yes!! Would I do it again? In a minute! Am I looking forward to 17 more? Of course! After 17 years, I still love waking up on a Saturday morning wrapped in each other’s arms. I love coming home to Jamie sitting in his favorite chair, and walking across the room to kiss his beautiful sexy lips! I love sitting at the kitchen table, talking about life and catching up on the day. In other words, I love him now more than ever!
So this weekend, we will celebrate 17 glorious years of craziness, fun, happiness, sadness, ups, downs, and most importantly…LOVE! Today I say, happy anniversary to my Big Sexy Hunk O’ Chocolate! Here’s to 17 more, and more, and more! I love YOU, and I love “US!”
Amy Wise is a Freelance writer in San Diego.
You can read more on the www.themanyshadesoflove.blogspot.com
And I love you too. Great reason to celebrate. You have a marriage that works and I applaud you for working at it each and every day. Shout out to you and Jamie! May you continue to have joy, love, energy and good health.
Madge,
It’s been such a road! Up and down up and down. We will always be here for each other and for our daughter, no matter what. That’s what makes it work. It’s not perfect but it’s pretty great!!
Hugs…Amy
Happy Anniversary!!!!! Cheers to the future of much more love for both of you!
Joey thank you so much!!! Amy
A wonderful marriage, like yours, is a gift to all those who come in contact with it! You paint the picture well, I can almost smell the roses! Hugs and Happy Anniversary to you both.
Awwww Kim thank you! You know we are blessed in our marriages! I’m ready for a Rose Garden visit as we speak to REALLY smell the roses. =) Such beautiful memories.
Amy and Jamie,
Happy Belated Anniversary !!! I met the love of my life and my best friend 14 years ago; we will be married 12 years this September…time sure does fly. Marriage is hard work, but like you, I wouldn’t trade my marriage for anything in the world. You and Jamie are such a wonderful influence. Have a wonderful anniversary !!
Love,
Teri
Teri,
Thanks so much! Our anniversary is actually on Saturday so you are not late at all! =) Thank you for the wishes and kudos to you and your hubby too! It’s not always easy as you know all too well, to be in an interracial marriage but we are doin’ it and doin’ it well….all of us!
Love
Amy